David Hutchinson’s running shot at goal in the 32nd minute of the final term hit the post and gave the four points to the Demons which saw them move into outright second spot on the Division 3 ladder.
The win was initially set up with an opening blitz of five goals in the first 18 minutes of the match, as Reservoir left the dressing rooms extremely sluggish.
However, it was eventually confirmed with a backs against the wall display in heavy rain, as the Demons repelled attack after attack from the Mustangs.
Rohan Davies led by example all day in the midfield for Mernda, and was ably assisted by Marcus Saddington and the returning Jai Robinson, who had the weekend off from his VFL duties.
For the visitors, the twin towers of Toby O’Meara and Ashley Flavel booted seven goals between them in atrocious conditions, while Cameron Rooney ran hard both ways all day.
With the disappointment of last week’s defeat to Panton Hill firmly in the minds of the Reservoir players, many expected them to come out strong to prove that they are a premiership contender.
However it was a Mernda onslaught that started in the opening minute when Davies ran into an open goal to start proceedings.
Mernda’s leading goalkicker for the season, Cameron Curlis, then hit the scoreboard, kicking the next two goals of the match – both to free kicks in the marking contest – which was followed by Saddington who also kicking truly after another free kick at the 14-minute mark.
When Jacob O’Donnell booted a goal from 25m after getting a clear takeaway from a boundary throw in, Mernda had opened up a five-goal lead, and the result appeared a formality.
Reservoir had clearly not turned up to play. While Mernda had the advantage of kicking downhill to the northern end, it was inexcusable for the home side to also have the first 16 entries inside 50m. Mustangs’ coach Ross Terranova recognised this, and looked to plug the holes of his leaky defense, moving to a seven man defence.
Flavel was able to get the Mustangs on the board in time on, thanks to a strong contested mark and a true set shot, however, Mernda still had a 25-point lead at the first break.
The second quarter was a much more even affair, with Reservoir having a slight advantage in the territorial battle, however it was the home team that was more efficient.
It kicked four goals to two, and enjoyed a six-goal break as both teams entered the warmth of their change rooms.
As the players entered the ground to recommence, they were welcomed to a deluge of rain.
Normally when a team has a six-goal lead in heavy rain, it would be reasonably confident, however Reservoir turned the match on its head, with goals to O’Meara, Flavel and Rooney.
Mernda’s ascendency in the midfield had disappeared with a yellow cards to Tim Atkins, and Joel O’Reilly, and it was the Mustangs that had all the running. When O’Meara booted truly after the three-quarter siren the margin had been reduced to just eight points with Mernda scoreless for the term.
As the rain continued into the last quarter, adrenalin was driving on players from both teams.
Reservoir continued to pepper the goals, but it took 15 minutes for the visitor to breakthrough, with O’Meara managing to get his fourth goal. The goal, his 17th for the season, leveled the scores for the first time since the opening seconds of the match.
As the game entered time on, Matt Aquilina snapped from 25m on the boundary and managed to scrounge a point to wrestle back the lead for Mernda, however for the next 10 minutes the ball stayed in Reservoir’s forward half.
Flavel had a shot from just inside 50m, which fell short, and then Marc Defelice had a chance at the 30-minute mark. His shot from around 20m out on the boundary fell short with the heavy ball, and was rushed through for one behind despite the protests of the Reservoir forwards.
But from the kick out, with scores level, Mernda was able to break through the wall, and it was Hutchinson’s poster that was enough for the Demons to break through for their fifth win of the season.
Next week, Mernda will be the host once again, as Parkside travels to Mernda Recreational Reserve, while Reservoir will again be on the road, away at fourth-placed St Mary’s.
Final score: Mernda 9.5 (59) def Reservoir 8.10 (58)
